Electronic Connection

I went to this store on a professional recommendation.\r \r I walked in to this to store to have a Police scanner programmed. According to Josh Sovis who is the VP of field reps for Uniden, my Bearcat BCD996T is a top of the line scanner and there is no need to purchase a new one. I went through a divorce and admittedly it has been in a box for 2.5 years. Wash Cty has went from analog to digital and I just wanted my scanner programmed.\r \r I walked in, BCD996T in my hand and the crotchety old lady with long black hair greeted me. I told her my dilemma and she began to berate me. She began with the scanner is not digital and it CLEARLY says digital on it., She told me that any scanner over 3 years old could NOT be programmed and I was a FOOL for trying to program it. I am sick of arguing with retards who THINK they know what they are doing, thus I left and simply said I was sorry for wasting her time. I am in the service industry and I was appalled at the behavior of this person.\r \r I DO NOT want to hear I was cheap or I did not listen. Money is NO OBJECT as I just paid 250.00 to have it done tonight. I called Mr. Sovis back and Uniden and reported this farm as nothing but trouble. And given the amount of goods that I am ready to buy and WAS going to spend here, I am glad the old crotchety woman showed her true colors.\r \r Go elsewhere. Go where you are appreciated.\r more

Great store when you need that one part and don't want to wait around for shipping. more

I just found them a few months ago and am surprised at how much stock they have. I have read the reviews and can understand how some people might feel. Cut the people some slack. They are old school and that is that. People don't understand how freaking annoying it can be when everyone thinks they know everything and can help them with their problem but troubleshooting an electronic problem for the $2.00 mark up on an IC is not how they make a living. Yeah they are kind of curmudgeonly but thy are not entertainment.\r They got what you need. If you don't need it TODAY use digikey or mouser. Myself, I am glad they are there. I know they are closed on Wed but they are open on Saturday, I have a job and I am glad they are there on the weekend. more

First time I went in I was looking for capacitors to fix my flat screen monitor. I had the bad caps in my hand and didn't know exactly what I should get... Ahaha, I laugh because I know that must be the worse thing in the world working a electronics supply store, and having a guy like me not know anything about what I'm buying. After initially wanting to kill me they then told me Just make sure the frequency is the same, and do not buy any that have a lower voltage than what I had. If the voltage is higher but the frequency matches It's ok. I grabbed what I needed and headed home to save my screen. Soldered them in and presto!! My monitor was saved. Obviously I'm not a total newb because I knew what caps where bad and how to replace them, but I'm glad they set me strait on buying the right capacitors for my future repairs. I love this store, and the home town people that run it. They are the Ed Debevic's of electronics :) ASK A DUMB QUESTION & GET A DUMB ANSWER!! If you flake out and leave because of your own stupidity you don't deserve to receive the answer your looking for. They just want you to know what your looking for, and not be an electronics instructor for every idiot on the block who wants everything for nothing. Cheers Electronics Connection! I've fixed more monitors than I can count! more

I have been shopping at this store for almost four years. I started shopping here right after I started going to ITT-Tech in Canton. This store sells electronic components, test equipment, electronics, CB radios, etc... The people running this store have always been very helpful, kind, and courteous towards me. They have been involved in electronics for decades, they do not know everything, but they are exceptional in their knowledge. I created this account to stick up for them due to some of the negative reviews I read. They get a lot of people that have broken items and expect them to know what is wrong with it and what parts they need. Come on people, this isn't a repair shop. Try that anyplace and you're going to get the evil eye....try that at Radio Shack and see what happens. I have witnessed people that do not know what part they actually need, then they try to explain what it is they are working on, and then expect them to know the answer. If you are working with electronic components and you do not know the difference between analog or digital, no one will be able to help you in your endeavor. I have witnessed people asking for LED's, the lady asked what kind? The person said they didn't know....if the person buying a part doesn't know what they need, how can you expect someone else to know? I witnessed another ITT-Tech student asking for resistors, she asked him what size and rating....he said I don't know, what are you here for if you can't tell me. She was still nice and went on to explain that there thousands of different resistor sizes and ratings, it is based on your project. There should be some type of instruction or schematic to tell you what you are building. You need to look at those and come back to ensure you buy the right resistors. He got mad and left. I witnessed yet another ITT student that was in need of a seven segment led, he didn't know if he needed an anode or cathode...this person made negative comments about this experience back in class, not once did he understand that he was the idiot, not the store!....those of you leaving negative reviews here need to ask yourself, did you go in to this store like a dumbass not knowing what you needed? Did you go into this store looking to have someone else fix, troubleshoot, or guess at what you needed? If you are going to shop at an electronics store, you either know what you're doing or you don't. If you don't know what you are doing or are clueless about what you need, ask for help, but don't be disappointed if they can't solve your problem when you don't know yourself. These people do not advertise to be mind readers, clairvoyants, or the people with all the answers. They are nice people trying to run a small business supplying local businesses and hobbyists. They are not able to help those that can't help themselves. more

Lots of negative reviews here but personally I rather like the store. I forget their names but the old people that are being referred to by others are the owners of the place. He used to be the manager of the Lafayette Electronics store on Van Dyke in Sterling Heights back in the day before that chain went out of business. The place is filled with electronic parts, kits, gadgets, CB stuff, scanner and some ham radio equipment. Hey, this isn't Silicon Valley and the store isn't filled with the latest and greatest but for the average hobbyist and a few pros into repairs at the parts level, this is one of the only places in SE Michigan to go to. Some people will kick at a football game thus the majority of useless and negative comments that fill the reviews. Deep down they are a great old couple who have spent their lives dealing with the public. I remember him back in the day at Lafayette Electronics. One of the most knowledgeable and helpful guys out there. You try working retail for 40-50 years and lets see how miserable you get! Does anybody remember the old ham radio stores? Reno Radio? Radio Supply and Engineering? Michigan Radio? They're all out of business. Anybody remember K-40 Electronics? CB Specialists? Gone. The Electronic Connection is still around and a great place to spend some time wandering the aisles. Yes, there are many catalog places (Newark, Digi-Key, Allied, etc.) that have cheaper prices but are any of them local? And how long will it take for you to get that part that you need right now!!! Thank you Electronic Connection for being still in business!!! more

I HATE THESE PEOPLE.... I tried to ask the older guy something about a soldering iron.... BIG MISTAKE... he actually GRABBED IT OUT OF MY HANDS and said... and I quote: ""If you don't like it then don't buy it..."".... I was shocked as you can imagine..... Costumer service? LOL what a JOKE. NOT SATISFIED AT ALL. Obviously I just left after what he did and did not purchase. My advice: buy from NEWARK instead.... Skip this place. more

Went in to get a look at the place and see if they had a scanner guide like Bettybearcat or Policecall. He acts stunned like the whole world should know they dont make them anymore. Starts getting all in a twitter then he tells me the Home Patrol scanner is the only one to get because ""everything"" is digital now. I tired to explain to him its not true but clearly he had no clue. Even more clueless about Home Patrol nasty shortcomings. I wandered about and found $3 muffin fans for $14 and many other things that anyone can get online for 1/4th the price. However they do have parts far in advance what radio shack does. I would buy there if I can't wait for shipping. Otherwise I'd rather claw my own eyes out. more

Well I've been going here for the past few years. They up'd theire customer service and are extremely friendly ( esp the last year or 2 ). I went there today to get some rosin flux and the lady working was very friendly and trying to help. This store is great and I could easily spend my day looking at everything! Million times better then radioshack. I'll be going there for everything! more

The few times I've ever been in there the guy always wanders off into his back room, everytime!. But, he's at the counter when certain folks come in but with others, like me, he vacates like I/we have the plague or something. They sell junk anyway, I bought a Velleman multimeter for $50.00 because I was in a pinch when I used it in my car the meter stand snapped right off. I took it right back and the weirdo woman would not let me get another, but I stated I would like a completely different one and she said no she was just refunding my money. Couple of flako's\r D.W. more

I also made an account just to agree with the prior review! I've been a customer there for a few years, and there's no doubt that they used to be kind of snarky at times, but honestly I think they've deliberately been doing better with customer service over the last 12-18 months. They deserve some credit for the effort. Yes, the store looks like a page out of around 1978. Yes, the prices are WAY higher than Mouser or Digikey. But their volume is low and their inventory is pretty generous considering. If you just used your last ""intergrated circuit""(sic) as some boxes say -- thank you American education system -- paying a buck or two extra is not outrageous. Mini-Hummer aside, I don't think they're exactly making out like bandits off the place. :) That said, if any of the negative reviewers want to open their own electronics place and can stock warehouse type inventories at online distributor prices with friendly service, some competition wouldn't hurt. :) more

I made an account just to make this review. The staff here isn't bad! I've been to this store several times now for one or two things and walk out with a bag full haha. I don't know how these other reviewers are getting treated badly here. The woman and old man that work here aren't bad at all like the other people here are saying. The people who wrote that must have been rude themselves to get rude back. She is very nice to me and always helps if i need it. I've only talked to the old man once but he is also a pretty nice guy. The place has everything you can imagine for the electronic tinkerer. Only bad thing about the place is the prices are pretty high on some things. For instance, today I bought some IC's I didn't want to wait for. Paid $8.95 for a package of 2. Found the same IC's online for $.90! But I didn't want to wait for shipping so I paid for the convenience. So just to clear things up, the staff here are good people. Give them a chance! more

I don't what the other people are talking about but when I went there the lady was help to me and the old man went in the back got the part I didn't. They weren't half as bad as the review say they are. They must went in on a bad day or something. I recommend this place to anyone into electronics as hobby and they have awesome kits there. more

NEVER DO BUSINESS THERE!\r \r No matter how you think this time will be different remember it will be the same. They are bad people to do business with. \r \r Your friends say it is a bad place to shop\r There store policies say it’s a bad place to shop (no Refunds or exchanges)\r Your gut feeling is it’s a bad place to shop\r There prices indicate it’s a bad place to shop\r There products indicate it’s a bad place to shop\r The owners give you the feeling before the door closes it’s a bad place to shop. \r And the list goes on. \r \r I feel the only way that place is in business is they have no debt and own the property. That’s great for them but you just go there and consider buying something ….. you will see why it’s foolish to do business with them. I have been fooled once DON’T BE A FOOL. more

They could have been on Seinfelt!! \r \r Show me your schematic papers!\r \r -- NO Transistors for YOU!!-- NEXT!!! more

I've dealt with this place for almost 30 years on and off and every time it's the same . \r It is a mom and pop outfit and they have been running this place a really long time . Had a real conversation with the old man and basically he's just getting tired of doing this . Besides selling stuff up front , he's also busy taking care of orders and fiddiling with stuff . The old lady really needs to chill but when you're the only game in town , you can get to be that way . \r Just try to be nice , smile and at least let them know you're glad they are there before they decide to close up shop and screw all of us .\r Just remember...Wal-Mart may sell alot of cheap stuff but nothing like what this place has . :<) Pros: local electronic parts Cons: pain in the butt service more

I've been shopping there for years and have yet to have a bad experience. The staff is knowledgeable and will lead you to an item or just let you browse if you wish. I've found parts there that were simply not available anywhere local. Pros: wide selection, experienced staff Cons: closed on wednesdays for some reason more

I've been shopping here for years, and I almost never have a pleasant experience with the lady. The guy can be helpful if you present him with an issue that interests him i have found. Her however; forget it. They have a large selection of parts, but customer service is terrible. I signed up JUST to put this review in, because i looked up the number to call and stumbled on all the negative reviews. Before i even clicked i saw 2 stars and knew that it was due to their attitudes. Pretty sad. Pros: Big selection Cons: customer service, customer service; customer service. more

Rudeness, apathy, ignorance... these are not qualities that I would look for in an employee... but these were shown to me quite clearly while on the phone with a woman employee at Electronic Connection. I've never felt the need to leave a bad review... but she truly inspired me to do so. While talking to her I was treated like a nuisance, like I was such an inconvenience to the company. I think if they replaced her with a rabid hyena.. the company would be much better off. more

I used to shop here many years ago, and started again recently. My experience has been different than most of the reviews here.\r \r I have found both of the employees (older man & woman) to be helpful & courteous. They have walked me right over to the items I've asked for, and they let me browse without hassle when I need to.\r \r I have been able to return items when I've changed my mind, so they don't always hold firm to their stated policy. I don't intend to push my luck here though, I try to be sure about what I'm buying.\r \r Are there cheaper online sources with a broader selection? Sure, and I sometimes use them. However I don't always want to wait for an order to arrive, sometimes I need the part now! This place is really the only storefront source for electronic & radio parts & supplies. They have 100x the parts selection of a typical RatShack.\r \r More importantly I prefer to support a long-time local retailer. This place won't be around forever, I'm guessing (due to age of the owners), and it will be a sad day when they close. Until then, though I am a satisfied customer. I am happy to recommend Electronic Connection. Pros: good selection, immediate retail availability Cons: none really more